Davis criticized Crist, a former education commissioner, for wanting to "stay the course" by using the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test to reward and punish schools, saying Florida's graduation rate and SAT scores are among the worst in the country.

"I will end the use of the FCAT as we know it," Davis said. "Right now the FCAT is used to punish children, teachers and schools and Charlie wants to continue that."

But Crist said the test has been an important part of measuring how well schools are doing.

"If we are willing to grade 9 and 10-year-old children, we ought to be able to grade the schools that are supposed to perform for those children," Crist said. "We have to continue to make sure that schools are accountable in an appropriate way, in a way that doesn't punish."

There were also clear differences between Attorney General Crist and U.S. Rep. Davis on homeowners insurance and property taxes. Crist criticized Davis for proposing a return of a tax on stock and bond savings, and Davis said Crist's plan to lower property taxes will take four years to help homeowners, and renters and business owners will pay the price.

Crist also said he wants to force insurance companies to stop "cherry picking" the types of policies they choose to write, such as offering only auto insurance and not homeowners insurance.

"We ought to mandate that if they're going to be here for the good stuff ... they ought to be here for the property insurance, too," said Crist, who said he also wants to stop the practice of national companies setting up Florida-only subsidiaries.

Davis attacked Crist for talking a good game now, but for not doing enough during his time as attorney general.

"For four years as attorney general, Charlie did nothing to stand up against these insurance companies," Davis said, noting that his plan will lower insurance rates by up to 40 percent beginning next year.

Davis proposes creating a $20 billion Hurricane Premium Protection Fund that would pay homeowners up to $500,000 for storm losses, leaving private insurers to cover only the remainder of damages and creating a much more competitive market for insurers in the state.

Under his plan, the fund would continue to grow during hurricane seasons with few storms, and would roll over into the following year, allowing the state to increase its coverage for homeowners from season to season.

The debate was moderated by Ray Suarez, senior correspondent for the Public Broadcast System's "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer." It was organized by Leadership Florida, the Florida Press Association and the Florida Public Broadcasting Service.

It was held a day after a Quinnipiac University poll showed Crist with 46 percent to 44 percent for Davis, within the margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

Previous polls have showed Crist with a double-digit lead, and he has largely been considered the favorite to replace Gov. Jeb Bush, boosted by a substantial fundraising advantage and more name recognition.

Crist has campaigned toward the political center during a year when Republicans are having more trouble gaining support. Some of those views emerged during the debate, such as his position that he will not seek to change abortion laws.

"I'm pro-life and I'm proud of it, but I don't think I should impose my will on other people," Crist said.

Each candidate repeated attacks they've made on the campaign trail, with Crist over-and-over hammering Davis on his voting record in Congress while running for governor. Davis has missed more votes than all but one House member this year. "I'll come to work every day," Crist said. "Jim, as you know, you can't govern from an empty chair."

Likewise, Davis at least six times said Crist wants to "stay the course" and said he is among Republican leadership that hasn't done anything to lower insurance premiums. "It's not just about showing up, it's about standing up," he said.